Speaking at Rackspace

This past week I did a speaking engagement at a company called Rackspace in San Antonio, Texas - a company who is the world's leader in hosting all due to their amazing "support". From the moment I walked in, I knew this was a special place. The office was no frills, but each cube was decorated as if it were entering into a Mardi Gras parade contest. Then my host warned me that the CEO was kinda crazy, and absolutely fanatical, and to be ‘ready' when I met him. I just smiled, for I have often heard my staff explain me in the same way.














Photo with Lanham and Graham, CEO and Chairman of Rackspace

As I rounded the corner to the "support" area, I saw a strait jacket on the wall in a glass case. Surrounding it were pictures of different employees wearing the strait jacket with big smiles. I have seen some interesting fashion since we started TOMS, but without a doubt this was a first...strait jackets? Of course I had to ask.

Turns out getting the strait jacket is the highest award at Rackspace, and it is given to the employee who demonstrates the most fanatical support to its customers, someone who is so "fanatical" that they literally need to be restrained, hence the strait jacket. Wow, this is my type of company! No nonsense, all the focus on the customer, and having some fun while doing it.

My talk went great and after I was done, they presented me with a custom pair of TOMS they made, with their logo sewed on the shoes’ canvas. With a little extra touch, they glued in special orthodics to the insoles for, well I bet you can guess it, "support".

Off to Ethiopia

I spent last week at the Clinton Global Initiative conference in NYC for the third year in a row. As with last year, I walk in to this conference with such an incredible level of respect for the individuals who participate and who are making a considerable impact on the world. But also, just as last year, my expectations are blown away. The goals that are created, and the reflections on past successes are beyond inspiring. If I could bottle an ounce of the inspiration that is brewed at this conference to give to each of you, the world would be in damn good shape in about a day. They open our eyes to the multitude of issues and challenges and hardships that drastically affect lives of all types of people. But beyond discussing the issues, this is the place where action items are created, organizations hold each other accountable, and change is realized. That’s what keeps TOMS coming back.


Met up with Jessica Alba + Cash Warren who are also doing amazing work at CGI. They're both such wonderful people!

This weekend, I took a flight to another place I'm very excited about, Ethiopia. TOMS began an initiative there in 2008 providing shoes to children at risk for an awful disease called Podoconiosis. I've relayed to my team back at HQ how passionate I am about this initiative, and I could barely sleep the past couple nights knowing that soon, I will be able to experience our work there with my own 5 senses. The coming weeks will be spent far away from marketing meetings, emails and rigorous schedules, and close to the need, the disease and the people.

As much as I'm looking forward to the experiences and education over the next month, I'm also looking forward to my return and sharing these things with all of you.

Signing off, and Carpe Diem.

Birthday Celebration

Last night, we hosted an awesome launch party at The Viceroy in Santa Monica to announce that TOMS will now be carried in the hip west-side hotel. Conveniently, its just about my birthday time, too (next week!), so together with my TOMS family, friends old and new, artists, The Viceroy crew and everyone's awesome guests, we celebrated. We celebrated all night long and it was absolutely amazing to have such a great crowd come out to support TOMS and wish me happy birthday. Endless thanks to the TOMS team (Jill, Garett, Katie, and Megan- amazing!!) for envisioning such a stellar event and making it perfect down to all the last details, The Viceroy staff for being wonderful hosts, Karma Tequila for quenching our thirst, our artists who came out to custom paint TOMS all night long: Cheech, Man One, Theo Hetherington, and Brooke Reidt, A Fine Frenzy and DJs Oil & Vinegar for pumping the perfect music, and every single guest for hanging out, having fun, and meeting all the wonderful people I'm lucky to be surrounded by.

Cheers to 33!

Dave Matthews Band Tour on the road

Dave Matthews Band's summer tour has really taken off, and TOMS is as excited as ever to be a part of it. Who knew, when I was 21 listening to "Crash Into Me" on the radio, that this influential band would some day be sharing a simple idea of mine to thousands and thousands of like-minded concert-goers? It's proof again that the unexpected twists and turns that drive our lives should be readily accepted with open arms. Both the TOMS that Dave designed himself and the firedancer style are getting such a crazy response! I've started to notice the iconic DMB icon on cars, stickers and windows more and more and it's humbling to see it on a pair of shoes that represent an ambitious mission to provide shoes to children in need all around the world. I'm yet to see a pair in action, however, so if you made it out to a Dave Matthews Band show this summer, or if you ordered a pair from their website, twitpic me a photo!

Colorado Time

After speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival this past weekend, I headed over to Beaver Creek to soak in some quality family time. We've definitely taken advantage of the fresh air and sunshine, rock climbing and fly fishing. Looking forward to more downtime this week before jetting back to my TOMS family in LA!

You're Welcome

Isn't this baby adorable? A friend of mine from the Tribeca Film Festival sent this to me, and I had to share. Last spring, For Tomorrow, the TOMS story, was featured along with other short films at Tribeca. We were so honored when the documentary was accepted, and it was an amazing experience every step of the way. So cool to see our friends at Tribeca supporting the One for One movement!

Check out the TOMS YouTube Channel to see the trailer for the documentary along with other great videos from TOMS.

United We Serve

Yesterday I was honored to participate in something really inspiring. The White House just launched serve.gov, a place for people to find out about service projects in their communities and share stories about projects they're already working on, and TOMS was part of the launch discussion. I can see this outlet being an awesome way for TOMS to share info about US Shoe Drops, and recruit volunteers in the future. Obama formally announced the United We Serve initiative yesterday, rallying Americans to help "lay a new foundation for growth by engaging in meaningful community service." Its great to know the administration recognizes TOMS as an agent for change, and we're excited to see Americans across the country have an accessible way to impact their communities.

Check out serve.gov today and get involved. Ask your entire communities involved. Together we are making this world a better place!